valleyclimber wrote:The whole idea of talented MVC players transferring to P5 schools has always puzzled me as there are plenty of NBA scouts checking out players that hoop in the Valley. Not sure why a player would want to chance it with a marginal P5 team if they have an opportunity to play at a Valley school that's completely loaded.

They'll be some that disagree, but I'm just not seeing it as a smart move for a player that could really shine at a Valley school and be seen by plenty of NBA scouts.

Re: Early Look Ahead

TSmithBJJ wrote:I see a lot of ISU and top 3 talk, but lets put the Redbird chatter aside for a moment. Who do you all have at the for the Top 3 spots in the MVC next year? (Too early to tell, but I'd like to know predictions)

1-SIU2-Bradley3-Loyola with Custer (Drop them to 6th if he leaves)4-Illinois State5-UNI6-Indiana State7-Evansville8-Valpo9-Drake10-Missouri State

Idk if UNI will jump up that much. But let's say this was a fluke year. I'd swap INSU and UNI. Other than that I'm good with this as an early prediction.

Plus the balance of the rotation will be considerably better with Williams, Tinsley, Bruninga, Clarance & King David. If Milik stays top 3 no problem. If he leaves still top 5.

Copeland will need to be STOUT on defense to be considered better than WILLS** Fayne and Hawkins are very different players. Fayne isn't going to put up 3's, Bruninga is a better comparison to Hawkins. I'm guessing with all things considered, most people would take Bruninga's career over Hawkins'.

Everything I have heard leads to Milik doing what Alize did. Entering the draft without an agent, seeing what he needs to improve on, and then coming back. One source has even told me, "Milik is tired of transferring." He actually wanted to come to ISU out of high school but his mom convinced him otherwise.

Most of my comments about Mikyle McIntosh last year included the following disclaimer: remember, he sat out his first year here. I was not surprised that he transferred though he was planning to go pro. Oregon came in at the last hour and swooped him up. Oregon had that Canadian connection. They had 3 players from the Great White North last season, including long time friend Dylan Ennis.

Last thing about next year's ISU team. The Redbirds continue to recruit though they are essentially over booked by one scholarship. Obviously, we know that college basketball is crazy and things change. If this team stays together, there is another piece to the puzzle who hasn't been mentioned on this thread. The pride of LeRoy, IL. Loyola transfer, Matt Chastain. Chastain is a walk-on (inter-conference transfer rules) right now but will likely be a scholarship recipient, and a sophomore next year. He is back to full practice after ending his season with an injury at Loyola. Muller loves Chastain and Copeland. He calls them "every day guys." They are two of the hardest workers on the team and if you watch pregame, you'll see them at center court with Keyshawn and Phil in the pregame captains' meeting.

Next year is a long way away and things change. It's fun to think about though!

Adunk33 wrote: The pride of LeRoy, IL. Loyola transfer, Matt Chastain. Chastain is a walk-on (inter-conference transfer rules) right now but will likely be a scholarship recipient, and a sophomore next year. He is back to full practice after ending his season with an injury at Loyola. Muller loves Chastain and Copeland. He calls them "every day guys." They are two of the hardest workers on the team and if you watch pregame, you'll see them at center court with Keyshawn and Phil in the pregame captains' meeting.

As a Loyola fan, hearing about Chastain always makes me a little sad. We were so high on him, but he got hurt right away, didn't really like the city life, and wanted to be closer to home. Very understandable, we just weren't a good fit.

But then I think about the recruits we've gotten since then for next year and I feel a lot beter